Simple Moving Labor

I've had horrible experiences with movers during previous same-city moves, which made me dread arranging a cross-country move. The moving industry is replete with companies that low-ball you on an intial quote & then up-charge you on the day of when you have no choice but to play along. SML is a bit different in that they contract with local companies for the actual move. But that ensures that you have one single point of contact for the whole process, & they guarantee that their quote is actually 100% binding. Their customer service was fantastic & we didn't have to negotiate pricing at the last minute. Plus the crews they hired for the load/unload were very good, as was the driver. We did experience some minor damage but SML was efficient about providing us with a refund per the RVV rate & we didn't have to fight with them to get it. We were lucky enough not to have any real issues with the movers' arrival time or anything like that, but SML gave me confidence that they would've handled any problems that arose. I'm hoping we don't have to move again for a long time, but if we do, I'd definitely use SML. They were slightly more expensive than some other movers (at least theoretically--I'm very skeptical of many of those quotes) but the psychological benefits of their customer service & no-BS pricing were well worth the cost.

Service cost: $4823

When delivered I had lots of damage due to a very loading job. I latterly saw them pitch two bikes over the last bulk head and hard telling where they landed or on what.  After sending pictures of the damage to the company, they have denied any responsibility to the damages.  The men in California said they hadn't seen such a poor loading job and I paid extra to get the professional loaders.  Anyone considering these people to load your move is out of their mind.  .

Service cost: $1000

I had a very mixed -- but generally poor -- experience with SML ProMovers. My biggest complaint is about the subcontracted ProMovers in Baton Rouge.
Pick-Up: While I was contacted by SML two days ahead, the subcontracted movers (ABBA Movers) did not call until 9:30pm the night before my 8am move. (I understand this is not SML's fault directly, but since they were the contracting company, the blame also falls on them.) ABBA instructed me that night to bring additional supplies that I was not able to get before the pick-up time of 8am. At pick-up, I had two young movers in sweats who spent a chunk of the spent time on the clock on their phones texting and talking with friends. All but 5 boxes and furniture were ready to go, so this was not downtime, but rather wasted time. This was frustrating as I had to pay for an extra hour since they were not able to get everything in the truck within the three hours allotted. Had I had the requested materials due to proper notice and had the movers not spent so much time on their phones, I believe it would have kept the total time under 3 hours and saved me $95. I have a hard time imagining that they were bonded and insuranced as promised. Also frustrating was the fact that I had to go into the truck multiple times during the drive to resecure items that they poorly fastened, like my motorcycle, despite the fact that I provided ample tie-downs and straps. Luckily no damage occurred there. The same cannot be said for my couch that ended up with laundry detergent all over it due to poor securing and no furniture pad wrapping by the crew. Very disappointed with the Baton Rouge side of the move. I plan to report ABBA's service to the BBB.
Unload: I had a much better experience unloading with the contracted ProMovers from Pick Up and Go Movers. They arrived on time and were professionally dressed. They were very efficient and unloaded the entire truck in under two hours. Unforutnately, they did break a bookcase unloading but referred me to their company to pay for damages since they said SML would not cover this. Waiting to see what comes of the claim. Overall a better class act than ABBA Movers.

Service cost: $798

Movers on front end were polite and hard working but because of the packing method quite a bit oThe f my furniture had rub marks when unloaded. Laborers on back end showed up late, we very slow (my friend and I moved more from the truck than they did.)  One or both of them stole my heart medicine from my house while my friend and I were busy doing their job.  The company claims no responsibility and still charged my the full amount even after I called to complain that they were late and slow.  I found that the medicine was missing a few hours after they had left and reported to the Sheriffs department.   I would NEVER recomend this company.  Don't use them unless you have enough people to watch every move they make.

Service cost: $631

I used this service to have 2 people unload the moving truck in August. I was very satisfied with it and the price was reasonable ($90 deposit plus $128 the day of unloading). However, now in November, I was reviewing my credit card statement and noticed that Simple Movers charged my credit card $264. I used this service in August and they're fraudulantly charging my credit card for some other service? I disputed it with my credit card company and reached out to Simple Movers to cancel this charge, remove all of my information, and give me an explanation. The office isn't open yet for a response, but what kind of company charges you correctly for their services, then months later charges your credit card again for no services and with no authorization? Ridiculous. I'm calling the Better Business Bureau.

Service cost: $482

Over the phone was persuaded to get the higher (professional) package which included furniture tools and cart for moving big items (which we needed as we needed a bed to take apart and large heavy boxes)
The movers showed up with absolutely no tools, we had to ask friends for a screwdriver and had to help move heavy boxes ourself. The movers stacked items high on back walls after we asked them not to which ended up falling in the move. When we reported our problems we simply requested a return that provided the return of the difference between the higher and lower package. They were unwilling to do so.

Service cost: $200

I hired professional movers to load a rental truck. They came with the equipment I expected. I was told that some of the things I wanted moved (glass table top, glass shelves, porcelin lamp and shade) should be taken by me in my car. The movers explained that they couldn't be sure these items would get to my destination without breaking.They did not offer to help me wrap these items.  I had a large piece of furniture with glass doors and was told that the doors would likely break on the move. They wrapped the furniture in a quilt but never put any other protection on the glass like cardboard as I had seen another mover do.  I had pillows that could have been put inside to help protect the glass. Many of the things that were put into the truck were not covered at all even though I had prepared them with several blankets and quilts. The job was done in an hour (I paid for up to 3 hours).  The movers were friendly and courteous. They arrived on time and went right to work. Fortunately, a friend was driving the truck and after being told to avoid any sudden turns or bumps, he made it to our desitination without anything breaking. .

Service cost: $369

I used professional movers in Knoxville and they were great and the labor in Austin was terrible! their average is 50% and that is failing. I would not recommend them even if Knoxville did a good job. And finally, this site will not allow me to submit my comments unless I have 350 characters and I didn't want to use profane language, so I left it short. If this is not enough characters this time, I will toss all of it and miss the opportunity to tell everyone I know and those that I do not know, just how little I think of their labor. Loading was worth the cost, unloading killed the whole experience. If I had wanted to unload the truck, I would not have hored them. .

Service cost: $600

The movers arrived on time. They were professional, clean, and dependable. They worked hard to stay in the time frame allotted, and they took care of my possessions. The online service was straightforward, without hassle, and courteous. Whether it was the "move out" crew or the "move in" crew, I felt comfortable with their being in my home. Their demeanor was always professional and work centered. After they were finished at either place, all I had to do was sign their form, and they left. They did handle my property carefully and did not break anything. I recommend them to anyone because if I move again - I will use them again.

Service cost: $180

The movers (3) were on time at the pickup site and did not require any moving equioment since they were young and strong. The moving went very well except our truck couldn't hold everything I we were forced to leave some items with friends. With the amount to move the movers went 1 1/2 hours over.
 
Foe the unloading everything went well and on-time. No issues except we were charged 30 minutes over our scheduled window which we don't agree with sicne there also wass a 20 minute delay due to severe thunderstorms. Otherwise no complaints.

Service cost: $1154

I used Simple Moving Labor just to load my truck to move from SC to TX.  I paid for 2 professional movers with tools and dolly.  When the movers arrived and started moving my washer, I asked him where his dolly was.  His response was that he didn't have or need one.  I spoke with the other mover and asked him if they both were "professional movers" and he told me that he was a helper and the other man was a professional mover.  I called the company to find out why I hadn't gotten what I ordered.  While I was on hold with the company, the operator in turn called the professional mover at my house who flat out lied and said he did have tools and a dolly and that both of them were professional movers.  The operator then came back on the phone and told me that I did have "professional movers" and that they did have tools and a dolly.  I argued back and forth and then gave up.  No dolly was ever on scene, and the tools these "professional movers" used were mine.  I paid for "professional movers" so I wouldn't have to babysit the loading, but unfortunately that's exactly what I did.  And to be lied to by both the operator on the phone and the movers was unacceptable.  I should have been refunded the difference between the cost of "professional movers" and "helpers".  The professional movers were $394.00 and the helpers were $219.00.  That is a big difference and I would NEVER recommend Simple Moving Labor to anyone!

Service cost: $394

We hired 2 guys to help load up furniture and boxes from a rental unit in Lexington, SC then hired another 2 guys in Blacklick, Oh to unload.  Both groups were early which means we started work on time.  The appearance of a couple guys was on the interesting side, but all things else were handled professionally.  There are 2 options with the movers.  You can hire licensed professionals or you can hire strictly labor.  We just wanted the labor since we knew how to load a truck.  Both sets of guys were prompt, careful, and thorough.  They even helped with some of the extras, like unwrapping the syran wrap from furniture, helped unscrew/screw a banister on stairway to get large chair through, didn't complain, and very polite.  Our experience was very good for what we were charged.  I would definitely use them again.  Hopefully these reviews will help SML weed out those who are not as professional as others.

Service cost: $546

Several damaged items due to packing. Too much weight on a dresser- now it is buckled in the middle and the drawers do not meet squarely. There is a strap gouge on a coffee table. A lamp clobe was broken- this may have been due to shifting but is was just sort of stuffed in at the last minute because it was overlooked when packing that room. There were items left upstairs and they had almost left before I had a chance to go trhouh the house to check. I think that may be why the back of the truck looked like  a kid had packed it.

Service cost: $356

My father and I had to hire helpers with our move. My father directed and organized everything inside of the truck while the men loaded the truck with my directions inside of the home. They were well-mannered, quick, and completed the job within the 2-hour minimum to fill a 16 ft truck. They also were able to move a futon bed and other items out of the home to be sent to the dumpster by another helper outside of SML without any hestitation or problem, still completed in 2 hours. My father raved they were excellent on everything!

Service cost: $220

We used Simple Moving Labor to unload the truck at our new location.  The movers were early and started promply.  They were very curteous and followed all of our directions and requests.  They worked in a very timey fashion and were very careful with all of our items.  They unload the 16' truck in under the 2 hour minimum in fact it took them only one hour and 15 minutes.  We were very pleased with whole experience from the initial phone call to the completion of the unload.

Service cost: $219

My move went as planned and on time.  The two professional movers showed up on time and started to place boxes in the truck.  Unfortunately, the moving truck had a leak in the box section on load day in a heavy rain which required repair and delayed the move 2 hours.  However, the movers remained in the area and were in constant contact with us.  They were ready to restart loading when the truck came back.  That was above and beyond my expectations. The items were placed very efficiently into the truck with care.  Given the number of items, the loading took a reasonable amount of time.  At the unload site, the 2 non-professional movers unloaded the truck in the time frame of the contract.  They arrived on time, and worked hard to complete their task and did so in a friendly and courteous way.  Overall, considering the distance involved and the complexity of the move, it could not have worked out better.  Very happy with the experience.

Service cost: $813

As an Army family, we are well aquatinted with moving. I paid a bit extra for the "professional" loading crew, and wasn't impressed.
- They showed up early, which was good.
- They brought none of their own tools, which was supposed to be part of the professional thing, so that was bad.
- They were very slow. I actually had to address it at one point, and though they were defensive at first, they did pick up the pace noticeably. That was bad, then better.
- They only used two of the 4 dozen moving blankets I supplied. Not two dozen, but two. Of course, we now have numerous new scratches on our furniture. Very bad.
- They did a great job of fitting everything into the 26' truck, and even left a bit of space for a few things we had intended to leave behind. I was sure they would not have space, and they proved me wrong. That was good.

I only paid for the normal unloaders, and other than taking far too many breaks, they weren't bad. They got everything unloaded, in place, and ready for me to assemble in a reasonable amount of time.

This was our first time to use Simple Moving Labor, and though I hope we're done with moving, we won't be using them again either way.

Service cost: $600

SML's team was sharp and helpful. I wasn't as impressed with the contracted labor (SML subcontracts with other companies to provide moving labor) who helped me unload the truck. I had the distinct impression that the two guys really wanted to just empty the truck as quickly as possible and leave, rather than help me put furniture together and take boxes to correct rooms, etc. I paid for a minimum of three hours of moving labor, and didn't like that they made me feel guilty about having them work for nearly the full three hours (with me alongside them, mind you--it wasn't like I was sipping a pina colada in a lawn chair, telling them what to do without moving a muscle myself).

Service cost: $384

I contracted with SML to load a rental truck with my apartment items in Annapolis. The salesman (in Texas I guess) was pretty pushy about getting the contract sent and taking my deposit, but it seemed like an easy deal since they were referred by Penske where I got the truck.
But that morning the crew never showed, no calls to confirm anything, and the next 4 hours were a nightmare of calls and angry voice mails between me and the SML "managers" in Texas or wherever trying to find a replacement crew. They said they couldn't contact the original crew (really?) and gave me excuse after excuse. I had cleaners and painters coming and had to get on the road by a set time so their screw up cost me extra for delaying other help..but the only thing they said was if I wanted to cancel I'd get my deposit back. Very poor communication, few call backs and a huge run-around at their end. I finally found my own replacement crew (so how come they couldn't find one?) and they came right over, I had to pay extra for same-day but I had no choice.
After my crew came SML finally called to say they found another crew, but I told them forget it, to refund me and I would send them a bill for the difference between their quote and the cost I had to pay for my own crew. They said "no way" and gave me more grief. I also called Penske to complain and they said they were not pleased with my experience and would contact SML but who knows if they did.
So..bottom line: don't use SML. After reading the other posts (should have done that first) I'm kind of glad they didn't show. My replacement crew was friendly, quick and really took care of my stuff. If you need a mover/loader in Annapolis call Annapolis Run Moving.

Service cost: $229

Found Simple Moving Labor through Penske's website when I was reserving the truck.  Signed up for two "helpers" for two hours to help load the furniture from a two bedroom apartment onto the truck in Denver.  We were going to load most of the boxes and random stuff ourselves.  They were to show up at 1:00 p.m.  One of them did show up at 1:00 and said that he was the only one scheduled to be there.  So I called Simple Moving Labor and asked where the other guy was.  They promptly found another guy to help but by the time he got there, it was 2:00 p.m.  Because of that, I had both guys for only one hour to move the furniture so we ended up having to move some of the furniture ourselves which is not why we were paying Simple Moving Labor.  The first guy moved pretty slow and seemed more interested in socializing.  The second guy was a really hard worker and really wanted to do a good job.  I would give Simple Moving Labor a better rating if they would have made some concession for the fact that both of the helpers were not there for the same two hours.  They could have had the first guy stay for an additional hour at no extra cost so that I would have had my full "two guys for two hours" that I paid for.

Service cost: $219

The contact persons in customer service are excellent. They are timely in their responses, availability and keeping you informed of timelines.
The contracted movers in my case were delayed by several hours both ways. The contracted local unloaders were upset with this delay because they had another job later in the day that they had to cancel due to the delay.
Overall the contractors were nice and courteous and hard working.
I packed my own things. There were a couple of minor damages that I took responsibility for and did not submit a claim.
Overall it was a good experience.
I really appreciate the fact I was able to contract with SML on very short notice.

Service cost: $6800

I was recommended to this company thru Penski.  The fellows were late but did call and say they were on their way.  When they arrived, they went right to work. SML misrepresented the services I would be getting.  I was told I could get two or three regular guys without professional equipment (dollies, etc) or get two or three professionals. Of course the professionals were more expensive.  Since I had a washer/dryer, etc.  I paid for the professional.  The young men that arrived had no equipment whatsoever and loaded my truck the best they could without it. The amount of furniture I had took less than an hour to load but SML has a 3 hr minimum.  I feel cheated as the services I received were not the services I paid for. They don't care, because they have my money now.  Be careful. .

Service cost: $394